SESSION 1: Rebecca Mansell

Avian Influenza Update 2022 Rebecca Mansell

Dr. Rebecca Mansell, DVM, MSpVM Director of Poultry Health Programs NCDA&CS Veterinary Division

Bio

Dr. Mansell has been the Director of Poultry Health Programs with the Veterinary Division since March 2022. She obtained her veterinary degree, Masters of Specialized Veterinary Medicine (MSpVM), and poultry residency training from the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. Prior to joining state government, she worked for Novozymes, NA in biological product development and scientific support for the poultry community.

Abstract

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, samples were collected from a turkey farm in Johnston County, NC, under suspicion of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Over the course of the next two weeks (one full incubation cycle), NC would encounter its largest outbreak of HPAI ever in the state, with nine commercial cases (3 broilers, 6 turkeys) in Johnston and Wayne counties and close to half a million birds depopulated.

While the last HPAI control zone in NC was lifted on May 12, 2022, and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) declared NC free of HPAI in poultry on August 10, 2022, the threat of another outbreak remains ever present as wild migratory and resident birds continue to harbor the virus. We will discuss the spring 2022 HPAI response and what was learned from that outbreak that the state will use to shape the way we prepare for the next big event.